RE: [Leica] Vario-Elmar-R 1.4/35-70 - How good??? (also some FS)

["Richard W. Hemingway" <rheming@ibm.net>]

Richard,

Thanks for the reply.  I will try this again.  The electricity just went
out briefly and I lost the message I was trying to send to you!!

How is the new job going???

Thanks for the information on the lens.  I e-mailed Erwin and just got a
reply back.  He is doing an in depth report on this lens, but it isn't
ready yet.  He did tell me that it is a lens of excellent performance and
surpasses, at relevant apertures of f/4.0 and smaller, the fixed focal
lengths of 35, 50 and 80 at f/4.0.  He says it is a top class lens.  He
also stated that the new 35-70/2.8 is slightly better but at twice the
volume and weight and much more expensive.  Sounds pretty good.

>it works in a variety of settings.  It is not an available light lens.  I'll
>stick to the 90/2 M or the 75/1.4 M lenses for this purpose.  

I don't use the 75 or 90 length much, and I have the M6 and 35/1.4 ASPH and
50/1.0 Noct for available light.

>By the way, Richard - how are you going to explain to your family the move
>from M back to R?  I gave up trying and just got both systems.  Now my
>choices have to do with - do I shoot color today or B&W?  

Well I will keep the 35/1.4 ASPH and the 50/1.0 Noct.  As I use the 35
probably 90% of the time.  As I may have mentioned, my wife has some sight
problems (retina detachment surgery by Dr. Hutton in Dallas some years ago
that saved her sight in her left eye.  she has had her cataracts replaced
in both eyes) and we usually look at projected slides.  She has a Leica
Mini that she uses for print film but can't use my M6 for slides.  I have
been thinking of getting her (and me) a Leica Minilux or Contax T2 for
slides.  She likes to shoot through the car windows on trips (this is
mostly what we use the cameras for) and they can be locked in infinity.

Then I got to thinking that since I don't use the 24/2.8 ASPH and 90/2.8
very much that I would sell them and buy the R8 and the above zoom lens.
This would also give a close up ability.  This would also allow me to
develop the R8 system in the future.  I think this would give a very nice
trip kit and only weigh a few oz more than my M6 kit, with two bodies.

At any rate I am now on the horns of a dilemma - what to do???
Interestingly, if I go the R8 route I will end up with a few more dollars
in my hobby account!!

Take care and thanks again,

Dick